Portable testing and checking apparatus with adjustable mounts

ABSTRACT

A torque wrench tester is mounted upon an adjustable bracket so that it may be changed from one angle to another with respect to horizontal. The purpose is to check torque wrenches at a plurality of positions because their calibration may vary from one to another. The embodyment shown combines two torque wrench testers of different capacities connected by common spacer bars so that wrenches of different capacities may be tested.

United States Patent Larson 51 July 11,1972

s41 PORTABLE TESTING AND CHECKING [56] References Cited APPARATUS WITHADJUSTABLE UNU-EDSTATES mm MOUNTS 3,456,485 7/l969 Larson ..73/1 cinventor: Kenneth R. Larson, Des Plaines, ill

Assignee: Snap-On Took Corporation, Kenosha,

Wis.

Filed: Jan. 18, 1971 Appl. No.: 107,037

U.S. Cl. ..73/1 C Int. Cl. ..G01l 25/00 FieldofSearch v.71l/l B, l C

Primary Examiner-S. Clement Swisher Anomey-Harry C. Alberts ABSTRACT Atorque wrench tester is mounted upon an adjustable bracket so that itmay be changed from one angle to another with respect to horizontal. Thepurpose is to check torque wrenches at a plurality of positions becausetheir calibration may vary from one to another. The embodyment showncombines two torque wrench testers of different capacities connected bycommon spacer bars so that wrenches of different capacities may betested.

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INVENTOR KENNETH RLARSON ATTORNEY PORTABLE TESTING AND CHECKINGAPPARATUS WITH ADJUSTABLE MOUNTS This invention relates to a portabletesting and checking device for torque wrenches and the like, and moreparticularly to improved mounting mechanisms therefor, although certainfeatures thereof may be employed with equal advantage for otherpurposes.

It contemplates more especially the provision of improved operatinglinkage and mounting mechanisms for portable torque wrench testers ofthe general type described in US. Pat. No. 3,456,485 dated May 5, 1966.

Portable testers for torque wrenches and the like are adaptable to mostautomobile engine service centers, production lines and testlaboratories where work benches of the stationary or mobile type havingflat tops are usually available and most useful. These situations oftenrequire accurate precision torque wrenches which should be testedfrequently to insure accurate fastener tightening. Torque wrenches withminor variances can be adjusted on location while those showingappreciable variations are substituted and returned to the factory foradjustment. In order to enable tester units to function in a variety ofplanes with the measuring instruments to be tested and checked as wellas adapt them to bench surfaces to simulate all actual use conditions,dual portable testers are mounted on adjustable brackets in spacedrelation thereto. Further, clockwise and counterclockwise testing oftorque wrenches is possible through the medium of a torque wrench handleactuator positioned therebetween to impart a turning load on the torquewrench operatively connected with either of the two spaced testers insequence to test and check the accuracy of operation in a variety ofboth clockwise and counterclockwise directions. Then, too, the testersare mounted on adjustable brackets to enable testing therewith in avariety of angular positions relative to the table to meet the testingrequirements in different planes of torque wrench turning movement aswell as to view the calibrated dials in the most convenient positionbased upon the available illumination and position of the operator. Dualspaced testers of different capacities with an intermediatecross-carriage provide a greater range of testing for torque wrenches ofdifierent capacities so that the test apparatus is not limited to asingle size of torque wrench.

One object of the present invention is to provide improved linkage andmounting mechanisms for portable testing and checking devices adaptableto precision torque wrenches of different sizes or capacities.

Another object is to provide spaced portable torque wrench testers ofdifferent capacities on adjustable brackets to enable testing andchecking thereof in a variety of planes and in bothcloekwise-counterclockwise directions to simulate actual use conditions.

Still another object is to provide spaced portable testing and checkingdevices of different load registering capacities with linkagetherebetween for testing different sizes of measuring instrumentscorresponding to the range of both testers, and doing so in a variety ofangles and in both clockwisecounterclockwise directions simulate actualuse requirements.

A further object is to provide a single cross-carriage actuator forspaced testers of different capacities so that measuring devices ofdifferent load ranges can be checked therewith to increase theusefulness of simple portable testers.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following descriptionof an illustrated embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing:

FlG. 1 is a perspective view of a testing and checking apparatusembodying features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an end view in elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 andadjusted to a 45 angle for testing movement of measuring instruments inthat plane ofoperation.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the mounting bracket shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a torque measuring wrench to be testedfor accuracy with the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the linkage to support thetesters in a vertical plane as shown dotted in FIG. 2.

The structure selected for illustration is not intended to serve as alimitation upon the scope or teachings of the invention, but is merelyillustrative thereof. There may be considerable variations andadaptations of all or part of the teachings depending upon the dictatesof commercial practice. The present embodiment comprises a pair ofspaced portable torque wrench testing and checking devices 10-11 of thegeneral type described in US. Pat No. 3,456,485 issued May 5, i966.

The testers 10-11 are identical in structure and operation. except thatthese are preferably of different load registering capacities toincrease the range of torque wrench sizes to be tested therewith. As anexample, the tester 10 may be of 200 inch pound capacity while thetester 11 should then be of 200 foot pound capacity or vice versa sothat corresponding torque wrench sizes can be tested therewith, and agreater range of usefulness is accomplished therewith. To this end, eachof the tester housings 10-11 are provided with a torque wrench adaptersocket 12 projecting upwardly through the top wall 13 of the testerhousings 10-11 so that the turning work engaging shank 14, in thisinstance of square cross-section, ofa torque wrench 15 may engage theadapter socket 12 of either tester 10-11 in a position so that itshandle 15' extends to and beyond the manual upstanding actuator carriagepin 17. It should be noted that corresponding parts of the tester 11 areprimed with reference to the tester 10, since these are of identicalconstruction except that the parts are provided with different momentarms to correspond with their respective dials 27-27.

The upstanding actuator carriage pin 17 is part of an internallythreaded cross-carriage block 18 which rides along an elongated carriagedisplacing Acme screw 19 journalled between spaced bearing flanges 20-21extending upwardly from an elongated bearing bracket plate 22 alongwhich the bottom of the cross-carriage block 18 rides to precludeturning thereof with the elongated intermediately positioned carriagescrew 19.

A hand wheel 23 is axially anchored to the lower projecting end of thecarriage displacing screw 19 to enable manual rotation thereof to impartcorresponding rotation in either direction to the carriage displacingscrew 19. This rotation provides linear transverse linear travel anddisplacement in either direction across and transversely of twoelongated and parallel disposed spacer bars 24-25 which are attached bysuitable fasteners 26 to the top plates 13 of both tester housings10-11. As shown, the transversely extending carriage mounting bracketplate 22 is attached to both of the spacer bars 24-25 exactly atmid-point thereof so that the carriage pin 17 and block 18 will serve toimpinge against the upper or lower transverse edge of the carriage pin17 to turn the torque wrench 15 in a clockwise or counter-clockwisedirection when engaging either socket 12 of the tester 10 or 11depending upon the capacity size of the torque wrench 15 which must notbe beyond the capacity turning load of the selected tester 10 or 11.

With the use of either tester 10 or 11, the handle 15' of the torquewrench 15, extends toward and beyond the carriage pin 17 either above orbelow the impinging edge thereof depending upon the direction of theturning load applied to enable a comparison between the registeredtorque load on the tester dial 27 and the torque wrench dia] 28 which,if accurate, should correspond in their pointer positions on thecalibrated dials 27-28. If the torque wrench dial 28 is below or abovethe reading on the tester dial 27, there are usually adjustmentinstrumentalities provided in the torque wrench 15 to correct the errortherebetween. The testers 10-11 are periodically checked against deadweight loads which can be applied thereto with special weight hangingarms of the general type illustrated and described in US. Pat. No.3,498,l03 issued Mar. 3, I970.

The testers l and 11 are each mounted on identical special brackets 29(FIGS. 2 and 3) consisting of a substantially rectangular plate 30having a full width hinge 31 provided with spaced apertures 32. Withmatching apertures on an extension 33 of the bottom tester housing plate34 (FIG. 2), threaded fasteners 35 may be utilized therewith for rigidattachment of the bracket 29 to the upper side of the hinge 31. Thetester housing support bracket plate 30 is also provided with aplurality spaced apertures 36, in this instance three, to enable theattachment thereof by means of suitable fasteners to the table top of awork bench (FIG. 1). In order to adjustably mount and support the hingedtester housings -11 relative to work bench top or the like, a strap 37is welded or otherwise attached to the bracket plate along the extremeedge thereof which is opposite to the hinge 31 and parallel thereto. Arigid upstanding ear 38 extends from the strap 37 to receive a rivet 39therethrough for pivotal connection to a comparatively short flat leverarm 40 that is capable of a full 180 swing relative to the bracket plate30 for rotary displacement therealong on both sides of the pivot pin 39to provide for adjustable angular positioning of the testers 10-11 aswill appear more fully hereinafter.

The straight lever arm 40 is disposed parallel to and in pivotalconnection as at 41 with a substantially longer lever arm 42 to extendbeyond the end 43 of the bracket plate 30 in collapsed position relativethereto (FIG. 3). A right angularly disposed bracket strap 44 having anoffset upstanding car 45 for pivotal connection as at 45 to theextremity of the lever arm 42. A rubber friction foot 46 is attached tothe flat exterior side of the strap 44 intermediate the ends thereof torest on the horizontal table top 47 of the stationary or mobile workbench 48 when the tester bracket plate 30 and the testers I0-ll aresubstantially aligned flat on the table surface 47 of the stationary ormobile bench 48 (FIG. I) with the lever arms 40-42 collapsed in alignedfrictional contact (FIG. 3). The bracket plate 44 is provided withspaced apertures 49 (FIG. 3), in this instance 2, which enable theattachment thereof with suitable fasteners to the upper edge 50 of thehousing bottom plate 34 beyond the housings 10-11 (FIG. 2) so that bothtesters 10-11 will be supported in the same angular position with theaid of the transverse parallel spacing bars 24-25 extending rigidlytherebetweenv In order to support the tester housings 10-11 in anangular position of substantially 35 as illustrated in FIG. 1, the otherend of the lever arm 42 is provided with an angular and slightly twistedear 5] which also has a rubber foot 52 (FIG. 3) attached thereto to makecontact with the bench top surface 47 and frictionally maintain theangular position of the lever arm 42 with the testers 10-1! attached totheir respective bracket straps 44. The testers 10-1] can also bevertically disposed by pivotally displacing the lever arms 40 in acounterclockwise direction (viewed from FIG. 2) to a position proximateand parallel to the tester bracket hinged plate 30. The lever arm 42 isthen displaced vertically upright with the rubber foot 52 thereof on thebench top 47 to maintain the testers 10-11 upright in that the bracketstrap 44 rotates relative to the lever arm 42 to accommodate the variouspositions thereofdescribed herein.

The three adjustable tester positions, namely lying flat horizontally,angularly at about 35 from the table surface 47, and vertically upright(dotted outline in FIG. 2) insure testing in all of these planes andpositioning according to the best available illumination as well asafford direct reading of the pointers on the calibrated tester dials27-27 and the torque wrench dial 28 for comparison. It is well knownthat calibrated dial pointers show substantial reading variationsrelative to its proper alignment with the calibration in confrontingrelation thereto depending upon the angle of viewing by the eye of theobserver. For this reason, the testers 10-1] must be properly positionedrelative to the observer to insure correct observation alignment betweenthe pointer and the calibration in direct confrontation therewithdepending upon the convenience of the observer.

It should be observed that measuring instruments such as torque wrencheswhich are used to turn fasteners in a variety of different planes,should be tested and checked in corresponding angular planes of movementto simulate actual use conditions and circumstances. Variations occurowing to the fact that the gravitational effect is different onindividual parts confined in a housing or casing due to torque wrenchturning in different planes and thus accuracy varies over an extendedperiod of use. It is for this reason that the testers 10-11 areadjustably mounted to provide different angles of support for testingand checking in all the different positions simulating conditions ofactual use in order to determine their total accuracy. In making dialreading comparisons as between the tester dials 27 or 27 and the torquewrench dial 28, the operator should exercise care in viewing thecalibrations and pointers thereof in direct frontal and close range topreclude variations that would otherwise be observed much like the wellknown observation that an automobile speedometer reads differently tothe front seat passenger than to the driver who sits directly in linewith the speedometer pointer or the registry line on linear calibratedsurfaces.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of theinvention, it must be understood that the invention is capable ofconsiderable variation and modification without departing from thespirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to theprecise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself ofsuch variations and modifications as come within the scope of theappended claims.

Iclaim:

l. A portable torque wrench tester comprising a tester housing having awork engaging socket and a torque calibrated dial thereon, a brackethinged to said tester housing, means for adjustably supporting saidtester housing in a variety of angular positions on a horizontal supportsurface therefor, and a mechanically displaceable cross-carriage tosupport a measuring dial equipped torque wrench between said housingsocket and said cross-carriage to impart a turning movement to saidtorque wrench to impress a torque load on said tester for an extentindicated by its own measuring dial for comparative check purposes.

2. A portable torque wrench tester defined in claim 1 wherein screwdisplacing means are provided on said crosscarriage to simultaneouslyimpress a turning load on said tester and torque wrench in both aclockwise and counterclockwise direction for dial comparisonstherebetween.

3. A portable torque wrench tester defined in claim 2 wherein a pair oftesters of different capacities are spaced oppositely from saidcross-carriage and correspondingly mounted so that either of saidtesters can be utilized with torque wrenches of commensurate capacities.

4. A portable torque wrench tester defined in claim 3 wherein the spacedtesters and the cross-carriage are maintained in rigid spaced relationwith transverse elongated bar means anchored between and to said testerhousings and said cross-carriage.

5. A portable torque wrench tester defined in claim 1 wherein theadjustably supporting means for each tester housing comprise a hingebracket attached thereto and to a horizontal supporting surface, andinterpivoted lever arms pivoted between said hinge brackets and saidtester housings to provide bracket adjustable support therefor relativeto said horizontal support surface in a variety of positions for varyingobservations during testing of torque wrenches therewith.

6. Portable torque wrench testers for wrenches of different capacitiesdefined in claim 5 wherein said supporting lever arms have friction feetto engage the supporting surface for maintaining said tester housings ina variety of angular positions depending upon the pivotal relativepositions of the lever arms relative to each other and to saidsupporting surface.

7. Portable torque wrench testers for wrenches defined in claim 3wherein said adjustable supporting means comprise a hinged bracket andinterpivoted lever arms pivoted to said hinge bracket to support thetester housings in a variety of angular positions relative to ahorizontal supporting surface.

8. Portable torque wrench testers for wrenches defined in claim 4wherein said adjustable supporting means comprise a hinged bracket andinterpivoted lever anns pivoted to said 5 hinge bracket to support thetester housings in a variety of angular positions relative to ahorizontal supporting surface.

1. A portable torque wrench tester comprising a tester housing having awork engaging socket and a torque calibrated dial thereon, a brackethinged to said tester housing, means for adjustably supporting saidtester housing in a variety of angular positions on a horizontal supportsurface therefor, and a mechanically displaceable cross-carriage tosupport a measuring dial equipped torque wrench between said housingsocket and said cross-carriage to impart a turning movement to saidtorque wrench to impress a torque load on said tester for an extentindicated by its own measuring dial for comparative check purposes.
 2. Aportable torque wrench tester defined in claim 1 wherein screwdisplacing means are provided on said cross-carriage to simultaneouslyimpress a turning load on saiD tester and torque wrench in both aclockwise and counterclockwise direction for dial comparisonstherebetween.
 3. A portable torque wrench tester defined in claim 2wherein a pair of testers of different capacities are spaced oppositelyfrom said cross-carriage and correspondingly mounted so that either ofsaid testers can be utilized with torque wrenches of commensuratecapacities.
 4. A portable torque wrench tester defined in claim 3wherein the spaced testers and the cross-carriage are maintained inrigid spaced relation with transverse elongated bar means anchoredbetween and to said tester housings and said cross-carriage.
 5. Aportable torque wrench tester defined in claim 1 wherein the adjustablysupporting means for each tester housing comprise a hinge bracketattached thereto and to a horizontal supporting surface, andinterpivoted lever arms pivoted between said hinge brackets and saidtester housings to provide bracket adjustable support therefor relativeto said horizontal support surface in a variety of positions for varyingobservations during testing of torque wrenches therewith.
 6. Portabletorque wrench testers for wrenches of different capacities defined inclaim 5 wherein said supporting lever arms have friction feet to engagethe supporting surface for maintaining said tester housings in a varietyof angular positions depending upon the pivotal relative positions ofthe lever arms relative to each other and to said supporting surface. 7.Portable torque wrench testers for wrenches defined in claim 3 whereinsaid adjustable supporting means comprise a hinged bracket andinterpivoted lever arms pivoted to said hinge bracket to support thetester housings in a variety of angular positions relative to ahorizontal supporting surface.
 8. Portable torque wrench testers forwrenches defined in claim 4 wherein said adjustable supporting meanscomprise a hinged bracket and interpivoted lever arms pivoted to saidhinge bracket to support the tester housings in a variety of angularpositions relative to a horizontal supporting surface.